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MacBook Air Audio Output Pretty Terrible

S

steve13

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jul 24, 2013
3
0
Is it just me or is the audio output on the MacBook Air pretty terrible? :(

I just go the newest model and it sounds really bad compared to my 27' iMac from two years ago. When using a decent pair of headphones it's as if the base has been cut in half. The treble is there, but something is lacking. Even my iPad is sounding significantly better. I think I'm going to be stuck listing to everything through my iphone from now on. :confused:
 
steve13 said:
Is it just me or is the audio output on the MacBook Air pretty terrible? :(
Click to expand...

For being a notebook(ultrabook) is actually sounds really good.
I bought this years model and it is my first Mac ever and compared to all the notebooks I have owned before it sounds a lot better.

I would however recommend the boom app which turns the sound into something even better.

I'm also guessing the 27" have space for better speaker and most likely uses better ones as well. I don't know this so just speculation from my side.
 
I think the sound output on my new MBA 13 is pretty decent for a laptop computer that isn't meant to be a "media center/player." It sounds damned good through a pair of headphones or hooked up to a pair of speakers.

I have a friend with a 17" HP laptop and it has better speakers, but he also needs a wagon to haul his computer around.

I don't think the MBA is a "replacement" for a desktop computer, but it is one hell of a package for a laptop you have to lug around.
 
The audio is not bad at all. I was better than I expected, I'd have yours checked.
 
Get a USB DAC if you're going to plug into good headphones or a nice stereo. It's a Mac, not a McIntosh ;)
 
I was mostly referring to the output sound on headphone jack, not the sound on the actual laptop speakers, that of course is going to be bad.

I re-listened this morning and there's no doubt the sound is worse then my 27' iMac, iPad and iPhone. I'm not fussy but the bass is just not there. I'll test it against another one to compare, but I think it's a limitation of the hardware (I hope not, everything else is top-notch).

As for it being a ultra-book and not a media center computer, the iPad and iPhone are pretty light-weight and they are sounding better.
 
I'd be interested in hearing if anyone has any experience or theories on this. I may have to start using my external usb audio interface when I need better sound.
 
Just thought I'd chime in with my two cents here. The audio on my MacBook Air is awesome and definitely up to par with previous models of the Air. Not really sure what OP is talking about.
 
It's not my home surround w/ Mirage speakers but it's sufficient. I use Bose headphones usually when watching a movie or longer content and want a 'better' sound.
 
Jokes on me, I rest my PRAM and it seems like it fixed the audio problems. I need to remember to put that into my bag of trick, just wasn't thinking. Nothing to see. :eek:
 
steve13 said:
Is it just me or is the audio output on the MacBook Air pretty terrible? :(

I just go the newest model and it sounds really bad compared to my 27' iMac from two years ago. When using a decent pair of headphones it's as if the base has been cut in half. The treble is there, but something is lacking. Even my iPad is sounding significantly better. I think I'm going to be stuck listing to everything through my iphone from now on. :confused:
Click to expand...

My output is terrible, but that's because my keyboard cover muffles the sound.
 
steve13 said:
Is it just me or is the audio output on the MacBook Air pretty terrible? :(

I just go the newest model and it sounds really bad compared to my 27' iMac from two years ago. When using a decent pair of headphones it's as if the base has been cut in half. The treble is there, but something is lacking. Even my iPad is sounding significantly better. I think I'm going to be stuck listing to everything through my iphone from now on. :confused:
Click to expand...

try Boom for starters ($6) - http://goo.gl/ic3KD - then earphones or even external speakers.
my 11" Air sounds great, though I do use earphones for watching movies
 
I have a 2011 MBA 11" and I strain to hear The Daily Show videos with everything maxed. It's a tiny laptop - I guess we have to deal with it?

Earphones. That's the cheapest answer.
 
I was quite impressed by the lack of any background noise on the headphone out, especially since my earphones are very sensitive to any interference. Also impressed by the quality and loudness of the speakers on the laptop for its profile.
 
It's pretty bad. The iphone5 headphone-out quality is much better.

I always use an external DAC with my macbook air though.
 
You probably have a bad unit or are suffering from what the OP originally had, but fixed later. I also use a nice DAC for my PC, so I'm coming from a good reference point. The sound is impressive for a thin laptop.
 
steve13 said:
I was mostly referring to the output sound on headphone jack, not the sound on the actual laptop speakers, that of course is going to be bad.
Click to expand...

That's odd, I have not noticed this to any degree on my 2013 MBA while using headphones. Now, one thing I did was turn on the EQ in iTunes and I'm using the 'Rock' profile and things sounds pretty good to me. I'm no audiophile though.

Sounds good on either my Bose in-ear headphones or my V-Moda M80s.
 
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